Epigenetic age analysis of children who seem to evade aging

• DOI: 10.18632/aging.100744
• Publication Date: 2016-03-06T04:42:46Z
• Authors: Richard F. Walker; Jia Sophie Liu; Brock A. Peters; Beate R. Ritz; Timothy Wu; Roel A. Ophoff; Steve Horvath
• Keywords: Toddler; Girl

We previously reported the unusual case of a teenage girl stricken with multifocal developmental dysfunctions whose physical development was dramatically delayed resulting in her appearing to be toddler or at best preschooler, even unto occasion death age 20 years. Her life-long physician felt that disorder unique world and future treatments for age-related diseases might emerge from its study. The objectives our research were determine if other such cases exist, so, whether aging is actually slowed. Of seven children characterized by slow rates, five also had associated disorders displayed first case. All identified subjects female. To objectively measure blood tissue these subjects, we used highly accurate biomarker known as "epigenetic clock" based on DNA methylation levels. No statistically significant differences chronological epigenetic ages detected any newly discovered cases. Our study shows a) there are multiple who maintain façade persistent toddler-like features while birth young adulthood b) not younger than expected.